What types of pallet rack guards are available?

Column guards for uprights, end-of-aisle rack protectors, rack backing panels, bollards, and corner guards.

Where should I install rack safety equipment?

Around upright columns, at the end of each rack row, behind racks near walkways, near staging zones or dock doors, and along turning points in narrow aisles.

Can pallet rack guards be retrofitted to existing racking?

Yes—most guards bolt or strap on without disassembly; backing panels mount to existing frames and bollards anchor to the floor.

What are the main benefits of using pallet rack guards?

They prevent damage to uprights and aisle ends, help reduce repair costs, improve operator visibility, support safer conditions, and add physical barriers between equipment and racking.

Pallet Rack Guards for Safer, More Durable Racking

Pallet rack guards protect uprights, row ends, and pick zones from costly forklift impacts and falling inventory. Whether you operate distribution centers, cold storage, e-commerce, 3PL, manufacturing, or retail backrooms, our guarding options help you reduce downtime and improve safety. Explore column guards, end-of-row barriers, bollards, and rack backing designed to fit standard racking while preserving aisle space. Need BIM? Download Revit files. Ready to plan a solution? Request a consultation and our team will size, specify, and install pallet rack guards tailored to your facility.

tubular guard barrier mounted around column base to shield structural support from forklift collisions

What are pallet rack guards?

Pallet rack guards protect upright frames from daily forklift contact and pallet handling. These pallet racking column guards absorb impact at the base of the frame where damage is most likely, helping maintain rack alignment and capacity.

Guards are available in bolt-down or strap-on styles to fit common selective rack profiles. Adding upright protection is a simple way to extend rack life, reduce repair costs, and support safer traffic patterns around storage aisles.

Impact Resistance

Shields upright columns from impact
Bolt-down or strap-on install
Fits common rack sizes and profiles
High-visibility finishes for awareness
Helps reduce repair costs

End-of-Row Rack Guards for Aisle Protection

End of aisle rack protectors shield row ends from side impacts during tight turns. Anchored steel barriers take the hit before it reaches the frame, keeping pallet rack end guards aligned and intact.

Use these in busy lanes, staging zones, and dock areas to reduce bent posts and out-of-square rows. High-visibility finishes help operators spot hazards fast and avoid contact with pallet racking guards at corners and entries.

Features

Blocks side impact at row ends
Floor-anchored for stability
Works with most rack systems
Improves operator visibility
Supports warehouse safety goals

base guard bar installed at rack foot to absorb impact and protect uprights from warehouse vehicle collisions

mesh enclosure panels installed on pallet rack to secure stored boxes

Rack Backing Panels for Fall Prevention

Rack backing panels help prevent cartons and pallets from falling off the back of the rack into walkways or work areas. The mesh design allows airflow and visibility so inventory checks remain quick and accurate.

Panels mount directly to existing frames for a clean retrofit and pair well with pallet racking guards at the front and ends of the bay. Together, they create a continuous barrier that improves safety without slowing operations.

Safety First

Prevents product falls from rear of racking
Mesh construction allows airflow and visibility
Mounts directly to pallet rack frames
Improves safety near foot traffic zones
Fast to install and easy to retrofit

Bollards and Column Guards for Maximum Rack Protection

Steel bollards provide a first line of defense in high-impact zones such as corners, doorways, and lane entries. Combined with column guards, they create layered protection that stops equipment before it reaches the rack.

Install bollards with pallet rack guards and end of aisle rack protectors to control traffic and protect vulnerable areas. This approach limits damage, reduces downtime, and helps preserve the long-term integrity of the racking system.

Protect Your Facility

Stops forklifts before contact
Direct protection for uprights
Combines visual and physical safety barriers
Ideal for high-traffic corners and aisle ends
Helps prevent racking damage and inventory loss

corner barrier installed at aisle junction to shield racks and walls from forklift collisions

Base guards protecting pallet rack row ends in a distribution center — Prevent rack damage in high-traffic lanes with impact-rated guards and bollards.

High-volume distribution centers run tight pick paths and fast turns, which puts uprights and row ends at constant risk. Pallet rack guards at the base of frames absorb contact from forklifts and pallet jacks, while pallet racking column guards protect the most vulnerable points during staging and replenishment.

Adding end of aisle rack protectors and pallet rack end guards at turn-in spots creates a layered buffer that keeps bays square and inventory secure. This combination of pallet racking guards reduces repairs, stabilizes traffic flow, and helps teams hit fulfillment targets.

Anchored end-of-row barriers
Upright frame guards with high-visibility finishes
Bollards for lane separation and protection
Reduces costly rack damage
Maintains operational flow in fast-paced areas

Barrier rails and guards installed near pallet racking in a cold storage facility — Protect racking in cold environments with low-temperature compatible guards.

Cold storage aisles are narrow, floors can be slick, and equipment can slide into frames. Corrosion-resistant pallet rack guards and pallet racking column guards protect upright bases where contact is most common in freezer environments.

End of aisle rack protectors and pallet rack end guards shield row ends from side impacts, helping reduce bent posts and keeping lanes aligned. Together, these pallet racking guards maintain safety and performance in low-temperature operations.

Rust-resistant guards for low-temperature use
Floor-anchored rack end barriers
Upright protection in sliding hazard zones
Durable construction for freezer conditions
Supports food-grade warehouse compliance

Post protector guarding pallet rack upright in a fast pick zone — Protect dynamic pick zones with visual and physical rack safety solutions.

E-commerce facilities mix people, carts, and lift equipment in dense pick zones, which makes product falls and side contacts more likely at busy corners. Returns processing and frequent SKU changes add additional movement around storage bays.

At intersections and pick aisles, end of aisle rack protectors and pallet rack end guards help prevent side hits that misalign bays or spill cartons. Using these pallet racking guards supports faster order flow with fewer interruptions.

Mesh backing for fall protection
Upright column guards in pick aisles
End-of-row bumpers at turning points
Helps separate foot traffic from forklifts
Minimizes product spills and liability

Rack enclosures and guards used in a 3PL warehouse layout — Add universal rack protection across mixed inventory layouts.

3PL facilities reconfigure zones frequently, creating new exposure points at docks and staging lanes. Universal-fit pallet rack guards and pallet racking column guards can be moved as layouts change to protect high-traffic uprights.

Placing end of aisle rack protectors and pallet rack end guards at temporary pick areas keeps rows aligned during re-slotting. With a flexible set of pallet racking guards, 3PLs protect client inventory and maintain service levels through shifting demand.

Universal-fit column and end-of-row guards
Flexible protection for reconfigurable layouts
Enhances safety between client zones
Floor-anchored bollards for traffic barriers
Ideal for dynamic 3PL operations

Square post rack protector shielding rack upright near a production line — Protect storage racks near production lines and staging zones.

Assembly and kitting areas move heavy parts close to storage, so accidental contact at uprights and row ends is common. Pallet rack guards and pallet racking column guards reinforce base points to resist glancing hits and preserve rack capacity.

Near production lines and staging zones, end of aisle rack protectors and pallet rack end guards shield corners from side impacts. This mix of pallet racking guards helps maintain material flow, protects equipment, and supports audit-ready safety standards.

High-strength rack guards for staging zones
Prevents damage near production equipment
Increases visibility at floor level
Bollards for perimeter safety
Supports regulatory compliance and inspections

Pallet Rack Guards for Retail Warehouses & Big Box Stores

Secure backroom racks and protect storefront stock areas.

Retail backrooms and big-box stock areas place people and inventory close to racking, so impact and drop hazards are common. Pallet rack guards protect upright bases in narrow aisles, while rack backing stops cartons from falling toward walkways or sales floors. These protections help prevent bent posts, product damage, and interruptions to restocking.

End of aisle rack protectors and pallet rack end guards strengthen row ends where turn-in traffic is heaviest. Adding pallet racking column guards at exposed uprights creates a visible boundary for carts and lift equipment, improving safety and maintaining alignment without sacrificing space.

Rack backing protects against falling stock
Compact column guards preserve aisle space
Bollards and guards near receiving docks
Helps retail stores meet safety plans
Low-profile options for visible areas

channel guard and rubber buffer kit mounted on pallet rack upright to absorb impacts and prevent post damage

Pallet Rack Column Guard

Protects upright rack frames from forklift impact

Bolt-on and strap-on installation options

Compatible with most selective rack systems

High-visibility design for safety awareness

Reduces costly repairs and downtime

Get Revit Model

end post guard mounted at pallet rack end to absorb impact and protect end post from forklift collisions

Pallet Rack End Guard

Anchored to floor to prevent side rack impact

Shields row ends from forklift traffic

Heavy-duty steel construction

Helps maintain rack stability and alignment

Improves aisle safety and visibility

Get Revit Model

bollard post anchored to floor to protect structures and guide warehouse traffic flow

Safety Bollard Post

Prevents vehicle contact with racks or structures

Bright finish improves forklift visibility

Available in surface mount or core-drilled options

Durable steel tube construction

Ideal for dock doors, rack ends, and pedestrian zones

Get Revit Model

Honest Results

“Thanks for getting our Compact Pallet Rack system completed on time with little disruptions to our operation. Jim did a great job of listening to understand our needs and was able to design a system that works well for us. Kerry and the installation group were great. They were well organized and left the area very clean every day and at the end of the project.”

“Just wanted to reach out and tell you how pleased I am with the renovation. I have been at SMU for quite a long time and for a while I thought that I was destined for inefficient, terrible storage spaces. The transformation that took place was absolutely mind blowing.”

“Together your employees make a magnificent team that portrays good work ethics, dedication, and positive attitude that would make any company proud. The customer service that these gentlemen have given Team Tinker only ensures that we will continue to maintain a partnership with Southwest Solutions Group. Keep up the good work.”

Southwest Solutions Near You

With 7 offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, plus teams covering every major metro area nationwide, Southwest Solutions Group delivers expert pallet rack guard sales, design, installation, and maintenace support wherever you need it.

Pallet Rack Guard Service Areas

Texas

Offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston & San Antonio w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Austin
Dallas
El Paso
Fort Worth
Houston
San Antonio

Oklahoma

Office in Edmond w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Broken Arrow
Edmond
Lawton
Norman
Oklahoma City
Tulsa

Kansas

Office in Lenexa w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Kansas City
Lawrence
Olathe
Overland Park
Topeka
Wichita

Colorado

Office in Englewood w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Aurora
Colorado Springs
Denver
Fort Collins
Lakewood
Boulder

Alaska